The Alpha's Debt the King's Claim novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Highcrown

Highcrown's gates were the height of three wolves standing on each other's shoulders.

I rode through them in the king's own carriage, with Brigid beside me clutching her bag and the king across from us saying nothing.

The city outside the windows was loud, gold and enormous.

I had been here once as a girl, and I had cried because it was too big.

Now I sat with my hands folded in my lap and watched wolves stop in the street to stare at the carriage.

News travels fast.

The healer who called a life-debt against her Alpha had reached the capital before I did.

"They're saying you shamed Brackley," Brigid whispered.

"They're not wrong."

"They're saying the king is besotted."

I glanced at Evander.

He was looking out the other window, and his jaw was tight.

"Your Majesty," I said. "Why did you claim me?"

"Because you had no pack, and the law lets me."

"That's why you could. I asked why you did."

He turned his grey eyes on me.

"A king ought to keep a healer like you where he can see her," he said. "There are wolves in this kingdom who would pay a great deal to own that gift."

It was a reasonable answer.

It was also exactly the answer I'd expect from a man who wanted my talent for himself.

I looked away so he would not see that I had stopped listening.

The carriage stopped at the palace steps.

A line of servants in grey livery stood on each side, bowing.

I climbed down, and my heel caught on the hem of my travelling coat.

A hand closed around my wrist before I fell.

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